The Alestle Vol. 71 No. 26

vol. LXXI no. XXVI

wednesday, 05.29.19

“Today I stand as an officer of the United Church of Christ, a denomination that has spoken out for bodily integrity, and every woman’s right to choose, even before Roe v.

Wade. We stand with women as the inherent beneficiaries of personal autonomy as self determination over our own bodies.

REV. TRACI BLACKMON

Executive Minister of Justice & Witness Ministries of The United Church of Christ

Protesters attending the #stopthebans rally brought a variety of signs on May 21. The signs featured artwork, calls to action and personal stories. St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones and many other speakers attended the recent rally opposing House Bill 126, that will ban abortions eight weeks after conception. The rally was hosted by NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri.

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alestlelive.com

BOT approves study abroad, military tuition rates MADISON LAMMERT managing editor

Military students who are active duty, serving in most Reserve or National Guard units or those who are exploring study abroad options will see many changes at SIUE after approvals from May’s Board of Trustees meeting.

The new alternate per-credit tuition rate for active duty military members and those serving in most Reserve units or the National Guard is set at $250 per hour, which equals the maximum benefit provided by the U.S. Department of Defense’s military tuition assistance program. It goes into effect in Fall 2019.

Chancellor Randy Pembrook said the initiative is intended to create more support for veterans and active military personnel, as well as making SIUE more competitive with other schools that offer similar benefits.

“In general, I think we are trying to find ways to support either veterans or active military, and so this fit into an overall commitment to those who serve the country in this way,” Pembrook said.

The alternate tuition rate would particularly help reservists, according to Director of Veteran Services Kevin Wathen.

“There’s been a lot of talk about how this is going to help Scott Air Force Base, but it’s also going to really help reservists,” Wathen said. “Reservists don’t really get the same educational benefits that National Guard people do in Illinois. So really, a

lot of times those reservists sign the dotted line just like everybody else does, [but] they don’t receive those educational benefits. So, this would be a gigantic benefit to reservists as well.”

The alternate tuition rate is not applicable for professional programs above the master’s level, and the School of Business and the School of Engineering’s differential surcharges will not apply to active duty military students.

The board also voted to join the International Student Exchange Program, which included a corresponding study abroad program fee. The fee for the semester exchange is $5,983.90 and includes housing, meal plan, transcripts and more.

All the costs of a typical exchange will be paid to SIUE when going abroad through ISEP, according to Study Abroad Adviser Kim Browning.

“It is an extreme exchange, that is, in the sense of instead of our normal exchange in which you pay your tuition here and pay housing, meals and fees there, this is you pay housing, meals, fees and tuition to SIUE and nothing on the other end,” Browning said.

“So, you’re truly going abroad for the price of an airline ticket, because you’re already paying your education here.”

Browning said ISEP provides access to approximately 300 locations, providing students with more options to explore locations of interest.

“This gives you an opportunity to explore a little further and maybe go a little bit deeper into a country than you would have

through our one-size-fits-all affiliates,” Browning said. “When I call them one-size-fits-all, they have a limited number of places they go and they’re very good at it, they’ve created a lot of programs there, but ISEP has exchange partnerships with lots of universities in different places.”

In other news, board chairman Phil Gilbert said the board hopes to have a new SIU system president by Jan. 2020.

Gilbert said the 27-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee is representative of both campuses and relative constituency groups.

“The names were submitted

by Chancellor Pembrook, [Interim SIU Carbondale] Chancellor Dunn, Dean [and provost of the SIU School of Medicine Jerry] Kruse and a lot of the members are from constituency groups that have to be represented on search committees, and they submitted names, and the search committee was selected out of those names that were submitted, and there’s equal representation between Edwardsville and Carbondale,” Gilbert said.

A complete list of the members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee can be found on the board’s website.

For more information on ISEP, visit their website at https://www. isepstudyabroad.org/.

wednesday, 05.29.19

Have a story idea or news tip?

We are always interested in hearing about news in our community!

Submit your news at alestlelive.com.

MADISON LAMMERT 650-3527 @madison_alestle mlammert@alestlelive.com

news in brief Dean of Alton School of Alumnus earns Interfaith Alliance Dental Medicine to retire in June Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award Eric Langenwalter has served department chair and Assistant the School of Dental Medicine for 32 years, and in June, he will be retiring from leading and educating students at the school. SDM offers education for more than 10,000 people annually through community outreach events.

Langenwalter graduated from the school himself in 1985, served as the head of fixed prosthodontics, Restorative Dentistry

Dean of Information Technology and Projects, as well as leading multiple committees.

He also helped create the Student Interactive Learning Progress System and the AxiUm patient Record System that helps to manage around 35,000 patient visits each year, according to a press release sent out by SIUE Marketing.

Peter Maer, SIUE alumnus and Granite City, Illinois native, received the Interfaith Alliance Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award in Washington, D.C. on May 21, along with Judge William Webster.

This award is presented by the Interfaith Alliance Foundation and is given to individuals

New Men’s Basketball Head Coach Brian Barone hires new assistant coach Men’s basketball Heach Coach Brian Barone recently hired a new assistant coach to the roster: Troy Pierce.

Pierce spent the last three seasons as the coordinator of player development and video operations at Bradley University, where he helped progress two All-Missouri Valley Conference players.

While there, Pierce saw the win total at Bradley increase from

only 13 wins in the 2016-17 season to back-to-back seasons with 20 wins, according to SIUE Cougars.

Bradley also earned the Missouri Valley Conference Title in 2019, the first it had seen since 1988, and the university’s first appearance in 13 years.

Pierce also was an assistant at Emporia State University, where the Hornets made two Mid-America Athletic Associa-

tion Tournament appearances, and at the University of Illinois Springfield during the 2013-14 season when they won their first Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament win.

He also played college basketball at Butler Community College, Charleston Southern University and Emporia State.

Pierce and his wife are currently expecting within the month.

who have defended religious liberty and improved society through brave and selfless acts.

Maer was a longtime White House correspondent and journalist for CBS News and NBC, Maer covered his beat from 1986 to his 2015 retirement. He also covered presidential politics, national and international disasters,

the state government in Georgia and the Civil Rights beat.

Maer was a member of the first graduating class of SIUE mass communications majors in 1970. He was awarded Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1995 and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters 12 years later.

Mark Luer to become next Dean of School of Pharmacy After filling the position of interim dean since July 2018, Mark Luer has been named dean of the School of Pharmacy, pending Board of Trustee approval.

According to Benzinga, Luer said he is wanting to advance the School of Pharmacy and help meet the health care needs of community members.

“In my new role, I look forward to further advancing our mission as we work to address the unmet health care needs of an increasingly complex and changing world. I believe that our stu-

dents, faculty and staff are strategically positioned to be leaders as we often forge new paths to confront challenges,” Luer told Benzinga.

Under Luer, the School of Pharmacy has been ranked No. 1 in Illinois and Missouri programs for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination board pass rates.

Luer is a professor of pharmacy practice and was previously the chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and director of clinical programs.

alestlelive.com

wednesday, 05.29.19

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Fewer students on campus leaves room for renovations, changes the comfort of a meal, and their well-being overall is our top priority. Our staff really cares about the students.”

MIRANDA LINTZENICH editor-in-chief

Summer at SIUE means two things: fewer students and time to focus on renovations at the university.

Having fewer classes, less traffic and less activity allows Dining Services, Facilities Management, the SIUE Police Department and facilities like the Student Fitness Center to better the campus overall.

Facilities Management Director of Facilities Management Craig Holan said they have quite a few projects they are working on in the summer.

“Most of our construction is focused over the summer months, if we can,” Holan said. “It’s not always possible, like Founders Hall, which is an ongoing project, but we do take advantage of the times when school is not in session to accelerate work on those projects when we can get into spaces easier and it’s less disruptive.”

To start, they will be finishing the first phase of Founders Hall.

“The continuation of Founders, which is a complete rehabilitation. It’s part of the 21st century project, which is student fee-funded.” Holan said. “We are doing all the core buildings, Founders being the first.”

Holan said they will have to reconfigure some of the areas, referred to as “swing spaces” because of the changes between offices and classrooms. The project will continue into next summer.

“I am very excited about getting to the end of Phase One of Founders Hall. It’s been difficult for the people that have been in the building. You know, we’ve had a roof torn off at various times and a lot of construction noise going on,” Holan said. “Phase Two will have that, too, but the roof will be in, the towers that are being built will be in, and so it should be a much better environment for those in the building.”

Facilities Management will also be renovating Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support offices in the Student Success (ACCESS) Center, working on the chancellor’s suite, renovating Starbucks, replacing water tanks in the Vadalabene Center’s indoor pool and continuing the sidewalk replacement project, which will replace aging walkways with cement sidewalks in batches each summer.

“We are fixing water heaters at the Vadalabene Center that had actually been failing at a pretty alarming rate, so that’s on the verge of being an emergency project,” Holan said. “But that’s engineer-awarded so that will start up soon.”

According to Director of Campus Recreation Keith Becherer, the pool was heated by tanks from the 1980s. Only three were functional and the others were getting close, he said.

Other projects include new rooftop heating and cooling units at the East St. Louis Center. Some units have been installed and the rest will be installed after the Charter High School finishes their

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Although there are fewer students using the Student Fitness Center and RecPlex in the E P-9 P-7 summer, the facilities will be used in different ways, according to P-6 P-8 P-3 B Becherer.

C P-2 Becherer said summer is usuP-5 P-1 ally busy in a different way, especially this year. SIUE has entered P-4 WH into a partnership with the Southwest Illinois Baseball League.

“Basically, we are going to partner with them and negotiate... a competitive rate for our RecPlex/softball field that is not really being utilized by the students during the summer, and | Photo Courtesy of SIUE Marketing and Communications so we were kind of thinking there would be some interest based on metro-east area. In addition, 60 bon to Auntie Annes, and explor- the local community,” Becherer to 80 junior high and high school ing the creation of an app. said. “It’s exceeded our expectastudents will come to Principia “The hardest thing is trying tions in a positive way.”

College for the Illinois State Po- to find... our compliance with the Becherer said the partnership lice Youth Camp, and will meet credit card and then the Cougar will produce revenue that will SIUE officers for bowling and Card and getting them all in the eventually offset the cost of the other activities on Friday, July 19 same [system] is difficult, so we field. According to Becherer, the at the RecPlex. are exploring a couple of different league will draw in more specta“It’s a good mentoring pro- options,” Wobbe said. tors and visitors to the campus gram,” Schmoll said. “These are Wobbe said they are working who are coming to watch the youth that need some guidance with Dining Services staff to de- games. and some positive direction, and velop composting and gardening “It really just took off,” it’s an opportunity for them to initiatives, but the key is starting Tom Dougherty, Student Fitness see police officers that are help- small.

Center Coordinator (Intramural ing them and that are mentoring “We have some people from Sports) said. “When students arthem.” rural areas that have farms and en’t here, we are still utilizing it.

Schmoll said the department passions for gardening, and some It creates revenue and it creates will be gaining one officer from other people that are more pas- employment opportunities for the police academy. Officer Sa- sionate for learning and different students.” mantha Jones will begin her 14- things like that,” Wobbe said. “So Dougherty said in the past, week training after she graduates what can they do in different areas soccer leagues have rented out on June 14. of dining services to better us?” fields for use, and Greek Life Justin Lieberman was also Wobbe said he wants to help members will host social gatherpromoted to the captain rank at students understand how to com- ings. the end of the semester, which post, offer food waste lessons and Students who are taking summeans the department will be eventually have a full-circle initia- mer classes can use the facilities filling a lieutenant position, a ser- tive where they can use the com- free of charge, and then others geant position in June, and then post for their garden and use pro- can buy a membership. Details on an officer position for the August duce from the garden for recipes. memberships can be found on the academy.

During the school year, they Campus Recreation website.

“Our services do not change have the Urban Cultivator, where The Vadalabene Center pool whatsoever,” Schmoll said. “We they have microgreens, fresh is closed until May 31 while the are here on all three campuses. sprouts and other items. water tanks are being replaced.

There’s a lot of construction going In addition, Wobbe said he is In the meantime, the Edon, so we do keep an eye on it es- looking into creating more ethnic wardsville Esic YMCA is offering pecially at night and on weekends, cuisine options, such as Vietnam- their indoor pool to students with on the construction sites to make ese or Thai options in Wok. a valid Cougar Card. There is also sure to deter any theft or tamperWith Springboard events, the Edwardsville - Glen Carbon ing with the equipment.”

Dining Services will be up and outdoor pool on campus next running for those, as well as weeks to Lot 10. Students with a valid when classes are in session. A full Cougar Card can get into the pool Dining list of hours can be found on the free of charge.

Services Dining Services website.

The Student Fitness Center Wobbe said Skywalk will be and RecPlex will generally see Dining Services expects to see some remodeling in addition to closing because of the decrease in more use from summer camps the renovations at Starbucks and sales, but the MUC truck will take and Springboard events over the summer, but they also offer classadding more options to campus, over.

The MUC truck will visit dif- es. according to Director of Dining ferent areas on campus and later They can be found on their Services Dennis Wobbe. hours.

He is also working on crewebsite.

They are limited during “Some of the things we are working on is Chick-fil-A, so we ating different options for meal the summer, but Campus Recreare working on that one this sum- plans and cougar cards in the fu- ation is looking to add more going into the fall, including new mer to get it going for Summer ture.

Overall, Wobbe said Din- classes.

2020, is the goal. Starbucks is goStudents can also rent bikes ing on right now,” Wobbe said. ing Services is hoping to better the campus by creating less food for free from the bike share pro“Starbucks will be open at the start of school, and Kaldi’s is open waste, focusing on quality of their gram and equipment like tents, food and having a self-assessment coolers, cornhole/bag sets and for the meantime.”

Pizza Hut will be working to improve upon anything need- more from Campus Recreation’s equipment issue. on more made-to-order and glu- ing to change.

“We love what we do,” Wobten-free options, and Chick-Fil-A will add a mobile-ordering system be said. “We appreciate the students, and we feel that we are an MIRANDA LINTZENICH with kiosks, Wobbe said.

Wobbe said they are planning integral part of education. We 650-3527 improvements to items offered at are a place for the students… @mlintze_alestle Fixins, considering adding Cinna- It’s about unwinding and feeling mlintzenich@alestlelive.com A

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finals, according to Holan.

Facilities will also be putting in new carpets at the School of Nursing and Dunham Theater, a new skylight in Lovejoy Library and are hoping for approval on a new skylight in the Student Fitness Center.

The Korte Stadium parking lot and Parking Lot A will be finished by the start of the fall semester. Parking Lot A will gain a roundabout entrance to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the roadway, according to Holan. The current design only allows drivers to go left or right.

Summertime also means more grass-cutting and planting for facilities. Holan said last year, they were able to plant 100 new trees on campus. Facilities has many projects they will be working on alongside grounds work.

“Summers are usually busy for us because of all the construction, but we have a lot of smaller projects as well,” Holan said.

“They keep the campus not only in good maintenance but make some improvements for the future, too.”

Police Department SIUE Police might be less busy with activity in the summer, but Police Chief Kevin Schmoll said their staffing and services on all three campuses won’t change.

“Summertime is an opportunity for us,” Schmoll said. “We get our firearms training in, we do active shooter training in the summer as well, and that is department-wide. We will bring in other departments — the Edwardsville Police Department and the Edwardsville Fire Department — to train with us.”

However, Schmoll said, it’s also the best time to get any extended vacation time in because the activity is lower.

“I can take off a week and can go on vacation with my family, and really not have to worry about something major happening, or it’s less likely something is going to happen,” Schmoll said.

The summer allows them to participate in two Police Youth camps. Police and Children together is a week-long camp including several departments in the

Student Fitness Center

READ NEXT WEEK’S FEATURE AT ALESTLELIVE.COM page 4

lifestyles

contact the editor: lifestyles@alestlelive.com 650-3527 wednesday, 05.29.19

alestlelive.com

Two administrators honored with

Patriot Award

ALEAH GLODICH reporter

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense Program, presented Chancellor Randy Pembrook and Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker with the Patriot Award.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a program that promotes support of service members by their employers.

The Patriot Award is given to individual supervisors nominated by an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of Guard or Reserve member.

According to their website, “The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.”

Walker said he was surprised to receive the award.

“It surprised me to think that would give an award to an employer who just does the right thing for their employees,” Walker said.

Walker’s father served in the Navy in the Korean War, and Rich Walker was selected as an Honorary Base Commander at Scott Air Force Base for two

years as a community outreach program.

After serving at Scott Air Force Base, Walker joined a community group called the Military Affairs Committee. According to Walker, the committee keeps the community informed on what is happening at Scott Air Force Base, and the leaders in the community are able to help the military families located there in any way they can.

Director of Facilities Management Craig Holan nominated Walker and Pembrook for the award.

Holan has been in the military since 1983 and currently serves as a colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard. He has been in the National Guard since 2006.

Holan works both at SIUE and in the National Guard, and he said he nominated both men because they go farther than needed when it comes to accommodating him if he needs time off to serve in the National Guard.

“I nominated them because, in my position as a director, it gets very difficult for both of them when I’m not here, and I’m on military duty,” Holan said.

“They’ve both been very supportive of that — beyond what the law requires. That lets me go and do my duty with the confidence that things are being handled back here at the university.”

The Patriot Award is described as an award for employers who

support their service member employees in any way they can.

Most of the support comes from employers allowing service members time to attend training programs or other duties that come from the service.

“We want to support those who serve in the Guard and Reserve, recognizing that more than half of our military in the United States are made up of volunteers.

So, that’s a pretty high priority,” Walker said.

Walker said another way that SIUE supports military employees is it offers tuition waivers for students whether they are actively serving or veterans.

To continue this support, Walker hopes to keep doing what he has already been doing while also encouraging others to join him as well.

“I want to make sure that supervisors and others on the campus realize that this is not only okay to do, but it’s a good thing to do,” Walker said. “I want to encourage them to support those employees and work with them to be able to do their Guard or Reserve duty.”

Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Doug Mcllhagga said it was an honor for not only the employees who received the award, but also the university.

“We are absolutely pleased to be able to serve the needs of in-

Walker speaks during a Chancellor Q&A at the SIUE East St. Louis Center in November 2017.

I Alestle File Photo

dividuals who have served, or are serving, in the military. In this particular instance, we hope the award indicates that we’re doing a good job and meeting the educational goals of those serving in the National Guard and the Reserves,” Mcllhagga said. “We

obviously accept this award on behalf of all the SIUE faculty and staff who teach and serve these patriotic individuals every day.”

ALEAH GLODICH 650-3527 @Aleah_Alestle aglodich@alestlelive.com

Facts about:

Veteran Services 596 military veteran students (in both grad and undergrad) 90 active service members students (in both grad and undergrad) 786 military/active duty veterans *** the numbers listed are subject to change***

SOURCE: Director of Veteran Services -- As of Fall 2018 Pembrook, who is also an alumnus of SIUE, speaks about attending SIUE two years ago in the Meridian Ballroom.

I Alestle File Photo

wednesday, 05.29.19

alestlelive.com

Keep busy this June:

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Where to be around the ‘e’ JUNE 1

Yoga at the Park

8 a.m. - 9 p.m., Leclaire Lake Park in Edwardsville * Yoga at the Park runs every Saturday from June 1 to Aug. 31

JUNE 7-9

JUNE 6

Hozier’s Wasteland, Baby! Tour

8 p.m., Stifel Theatre in St. Louis

Webster Arts Fair

Friday: 6-10 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m Eden Seminary on the corner of E. Lockwood Avenue and N. Bompart Avenue.

JUNE 9

JUNE 8 Route 66 Festival

events start at 8 a.m. with the Metro Milers 10k Run Trailnet Route 66 Bicycle Ride, festival closes at midnight Sunday City Park, downtown Edwardsville

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis: Love’s Labors Lost 6:30 - 10 p.m., Forest Park in St. Louis

JUNE 15

2019 Juneteenth Celebration Community Ride 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in St. Louis

JUNE 21, 22

“As You Like It” 7: 30 p.m., SIUE Metcalf Theater * more dates and times listed on the SIUE Theater and Dance website

JUNE 28

Brad Paisley

7 p.m. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis

JUNE 29, 30 Pride Fest

Saturday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. with the parade at noon Soldiers’ Memorial Park in St. Louis

Artists dabble with politics, policy

MIRANDA LINTZENICH editor-in-chief Turning away from bad breakups or other mainstream music topics, artists are using political statements within their lyrics to hopefully create change, ranging from Beyonce’s “Formation” about police brutality or Genesis’ “Land of Confusion” about questioning the wisdom of leaders in power.

Many artists have begun writing songs about the issues we all face, and how things like climate change, struggles in low-income areas or mass shootings make them feel.

One song that recently stood out was Grandson’s “Blood //

Water,” which focuses on political corruption and its effects on the younger generation.

One lyric is “The price of your greed is your son and your daughter, what you gon’ do, when there’s blood in the water?” It could be a reference to how those making choices affect everyone’s way of life, a reference to Flint, Michigan, or even talking about how the greed of corporations, overfarming and entitlement can go too far and spoil life for everyone else.

Grandson has a way of using metaphors to talk about bigger topics, and he is not alone. Kehlani and Eminem recently released “Nowhere Fast,” which is about the status of the country and where it is headed, recent terrorist attacks, the North Korean nuclear threat and gun control.

The line “they love their guns more than they love their children,” really stands out because while children died at Sandy Hook Elementary and Parkland High School, gun owners

gripped their guns tighter. It’s the teenagers that are fighting for gun control.

Another song would be “Earth” by Lil Dicky and other featured artists, particularly about climate change. Although some lyrics seem less serious, the overall theme of the song is to create awareness that if we don’t change our ways, we won’t get to talk about the “rhinos, horny as heck” or the koala’s that like to sleep. As Lil Dicky said, “We’re being stupid.”

“America” by Logic explores white supremacy’s rise during the Trump era, the increase of suicide attempts, lack of gun control, white entitlement, drug addiction and more. Almost every controversial topic someone could bring up is in this song.

“This is America” by Donald Glover (a.k.a Childish Gambino) attempts to address the stereotypes placed upon those who are African American and the issues they may face, gun control, police brutality, mass shootings, and

Childish Gambino performs at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 16, 2015.

Kenneth K. Lam/ MCT Campus

more. The impression is that we shouldn’t be distracted by superficial entertainment or current pop culture, but instead face the real problems in the country today.

All of these songs are creative and have started more conversations, but the ideas are nothing new. Metallica’s “...And Justice for All,” “99 Revolutions” by Green Day, “Pumped Up Kicks”

by Foster the People, “Ghetto Gospel” by Tupac, “Imagine”

by John Lennon, “Killing in the

Name” by Rage Against the Machine about the Rodney King incident, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2, or even “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen, which talks about ignoring Vietnam veterans, are just a few of many songs to start conversations on important issues.

All of these songs discuss events or issues that shape society today, and the current crop of political songs are only carrying the torch forward.

opinion

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alestlelive.com

MIRANDA LINTZENICH editor-in-chief

MADISON LAMMERT managing editor

JORDYN NIMMER online editor

SPENCER PECK photographer JENNIFER GOECKNER ELIZABETH DONALD copy editor ERICA GREEN podcast producer JOANN WEAVER graphics manager JONAS MALAVE CAMPOS advertising manager NATHANIEL JOHNSON HARRISON GORDEN DYLAN GUSEWELLE ad representatives CLAIRE FUESTING CRISHAWNA NASH office secretaries ANGIE TROUT office manager TAMMY MERRETT program director Have a comment?

Let us know! opinion@alestlelive.com Campus Box 1167 Edwardsville, IL. 62026-1167 Letters to the Editor Policy: The editors, staff and publishers of The Alestle believe in the free exchange of ideas, concerns and opinions and will publish as many letters as possible.

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share your thoughts: opinion@alestlelive.com 650-3527 wednesday, 05.29.19

Abortion bans target poor women MADISON LAMMERT managing editor

For many, opinions on abortion are based around personal circumstances and beliefs. However, when legislation across the river bans abortions at extremely early weeks of pregnancy without exception to victims of rape or incest, it’s time to look beyond personal beliefs and see that these bans are not about morality, but rather are a war on women disguised as a blessing to some.

This legislation is not going to stop abortions; it is going to restrict access to safe abortions.

Doctors will be less likely to stay or set up shop in Missouri where they might be sentenced to prison for 15 years, or in Alabama where they might be sentenced to prison for 99 years for providing safe abortions.

According to the Turnaway Study by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, half of the women in the study who either had an abortion or sought one but were denied the procedure had incomes below the federal poverty level, and threefourths of these women did not have enough money to pay for basic living expenses.

Interestingly, the study found that those denied an abortion were at greater odds of being unem-

ployed six months later than those permitted an abortion. They were also more likely to be enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food assistance (SNAP) and other public safety programs than those who received an abortion.

It’s clear that these bans target poor women. Those who are economically unstable do not have the luxury to take a trip to obtain the procedure — they may not have resources such as a car, money for a bus ticket, childcare for existing children, etc.

For those in St. Louis, the only abortion provider in the state of Missouri, a Planned Parenthood, will possibly lose its license by the end of the week in a controversial fight with the state. If

this happens, the Hope Clinic in Granite City would be the closest possible provider.

So, what happens to the women who do not have the resources to travel for safe care?

What options do they have? Wire coat hangers. Self-induced options such as herbal abortion, menstrual extraction and misoprostol — all of which are not guaranteed to work and could produce severe harm to women, especially if they do not have the means for a hospital visit if it goes wrong.

These are already well-known methods, and will become increasingly more so with the bans, especially for those who do not have the means to travel due to financial reasons.

The main point is these bans

are a war on women, particularly poor women, and to ban safe abortions is to say that women’s lives are less valuable than that of the unborn. To ban abortions in certain states is to prevent women from economic advancement, many of whom are already struggling to get by.

We should support bills like that recently passed by the Illinois House that provide fewer restrictions on the procedure and give women the ability to put their well-being in their own hands.

This is not an argument as simple as “pro-life” or “prochoice.” But all, no matter what side of the debate they are on, should take into account the mother’s economic, mental and physical well-being.

alestle view It’s time to care about U.S. foreign policy

As college students, it’s easy to get wrapped up in local news.

However, some of the most important events right now are the ones happening in the world around us. Just because these events do not occur in our own backyards, if ignored, they could very well possibly become issues to which we can no longer turn a blind eye.

Foreign policy is equally, if not more, influential and important than local. At The Alestle, we don’t want to take sides on each of the issues or examples, but instead reflect on each of them and point out how important it is to understand what is happening to the world. Being informed and knowledgeable about what is happening is crucial to how we vote, interact with others and decide what is factual and important when reading news online.

In the past few months, there have been some big events, and the news has covered many major events recently. It’s difficult to narrow down the most important ones.

Events such as the New Zealand mosque shooting and Sri Lanka bombings call into question the concept of religious freedom, which is legally protected in both countries, just as it is in the U.S. Mass shootings tend to be

more common in the U.S. than other parts of the world. How U.S. foreign policy reacts to these events is not only a testament to levels of humanity, but also calls into question how we react to beliefs that are not our own.

Perhaps one of the most media covered foreign policy concerns is North Korea’s nuclear missiles testing program and the president’s response. While North Korea is violating U.N. Security Council resolutions, President Trump maintains confidence that Kim Jong Un will not violate his promise to denuclearize North Korea. It’s clear that whatever one believes, the testing of missiles and the responses to them could have a drastic impact on the world as we know it.

Again, we hear more talk of missiles as the U.S. navigates tensions with the Middle East. The only way to sum this up objectively is that no matter what one believes is the right response — sending in troops, extra surveillance or trying to have conversations about it — what is done now could have a huge impact on the state of the U.S. and other countries.

Recently, the U.S. stopped aiding Palestinians in occupied West Bank and Gaza. While the reasoning behind this is said to be to stop terrorism, it also begs

the question; “What moral obligations do we have to those in other regions of the world?” Involvement in Gaza could set a new precedent for how the U.S. handles the convergence — or apparent cross over — between homeland security and aiding foreign nations.

The political turmoil in Venezuela once again propels the theme of human decency and when and how the U.S. should get involved in the crises facing foreign countries. Additionally, according to BBC, the U.S. is the third most popular place where Venezuelan migrants to seek refuge.

According to experts, Trump’s plan to impose a 25 percent tariff on Chinese goods will also damage our economy here in the states and even cause an increase in inflation.

However, many steel workers in Granite City steel support Trump’s policy, as his tariffs on foreign steel put 800 former employees back in a job.

Just because something seems to only impact those far away, it can have impacts at home too, making it even more important to stay informed.

Because of tariffs, Ford is currently pending layoffs due to slower sales in the China market and higher costs due to the tariffs.

In January, Fox Business reported Ford lost over $100 million.

Poverty, hunger and lack of education are commonly correlated, and the situation in Nigeria is no exception. However, SIUE alumnus Philip Alabi of Nigeria showed there is hope. Alabi sent leftover textbooks back to his home country to improve education there. Even though helping foreign countries may seem like a difficult task with the barriers of distance, language and culture, there is always something that can be done.

According to CBS News, over 1 million species of plants and animals may soon face extinction. This not only harms the plants and animals, but also food supply, water supply and human health in general.

These are all very important issues that not only highlight some key discussions between peers or family, but also should make constituents want to go out and vote.

We at The Alestle feel it is important to get all of the information on what is happening to the world around us, make a decision on how it should be changed and figure out ways to do just that. Alabi proved there are ways we can all help out and try to make this world a better place. It’s not too late.

sports

contact the editor: sports@alestlelive.com 650-3527 wednesday, 05.29.19

SEE MORE ABOUT CAMPUS RECREATION ONLINE NEXT WEEK page 7

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Track senior closes out final season at West Regional

2019 OVC Outdoor Championships Cape Girardeau, Missouri, May 9-11

had not crossed her mind until her coach encouraged her to seek opportunities outside Canada.

“My senior year of high school, I joined the track club, and we had a New Balance National Meet, which is in March in New York and I ended up winning the meet,” Gibbs said.

“That’s when I started getting calls from U.S. schools and my coach was like, ‘Brittney, you should really think about going

to school in the states.’”

Eventually, Gibbs decided to come to SIUE in 2014. Throughout her time here, she has been recognized for both academic and athletic successes. Gibbs has made the dean’s list every semester, making her a multiple-time OVC Academic Medal of Honor recipient, as well as other honors.

Gibbs said she was very proud to receive the 2019 Female Cougar Captain Award. This award

goes to one female athlete among all the teams at SIUE who exemplifies leadership, love for their sport, has been awarded their varsity jacket and who has above a 3.0 GPA. Gibbs said being recognized by both her teammates and other teams was a rewarding experience. see GIBBS on page 8

Brittney Gibbs won women’s triple jump (41-0.25)

Conor McCarthy: 2nd place in long jump (23-6.75)

DeVonte Tincher: 5th place in the men’s 500m (time of 11.15)

Ben Scamihorn: 8th place in the 5k

Matt O’Connor and Joseph Stone placed 4th and 5th respectively in 800m

Justin White: 4th place in men’s high jump (6-5.5)

Ben Scamihorn: 6th place in men’s 3000m steeple chase w/ time of 9:12.24

Austin Lynch: 4th place in men's discus

Kassidy Dexheimer: 3rd place in women’s steeple chase (10:58.69)

John Barnes: 5th place in men’s discus, 5th place in men’s hammer throw

2019 season summary 6-1 loss at SEMO on April 19; 5-2 loss at UT Martin on April 20.

SEMO match was held at the Paul Rowton Indoor Tennis Club in Paducah, Kentucky. Callaghan Adams earned the one point the Cougars had: defeated Isabella Krupa 6-1, 7-5 in No. 3 singles.

Singles did well in UT Martin match: Alina Munteanu defeated UT Martin’s Asel Jumamukhambetova 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 in No. 1 singles She finished the season 11-6 in singles play.

In No. 2 singles, Lara Tupper defeated Jemima Potter 6-1, 6-2 Tupper: 10-5 in No. 2 singles.

MEN'S GOLF

Sports Wrap-Up

Logan Webb: 3rd place in men’s triple jump (46-1.5), placed 5th in long jump

2019 season summary: 11-9 win vs. Murray State on May 18 w/ series win They were still eliminated for a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference because UT Martin beat Tennessee Tech earlier that day.

Season finished with 19-32 overall and 11-19 in the OVC. 13 seniors graduated.

photo courtesy of Gibbs

WOMEN'S SOFTBALL

MEN'S BASEBALL

Brittney Gibbs performed the last triple jump of her SIUE track career at the NCAA West Preliminary weeks after completing graduate school with a 4.0 GPA. Gibbs ranked 42nd at the competition on Saturday, May 25 in Sacramento, California with her best jump of the day at 39 feet, 3.25 inches.

In order to compete at the preliminary, Gibbs had to rank within the top 48 in her region.

Gibbs said she solidified going to California after she reached 414.5, the top triple jump in the Ohio Valley Conference at the time, during April’s Memphis Invitational.

She then placed first in the triple jump at the OVC Champi-

WOMEN'S TENNIS

MADISON LAMMERT managing editor

onships May 11 with a mark of 41-0.25.

“I had an open mind, that mentality like ‘This is it, Brittney, last one, best one, so you just have to put it all out there,’ which is exactly what I did,” Gibbs said.

“My last jump — my fourth jump — I jumped 41 feet in the pouring rain. I still don’t know how I did it, but at that moment I basically already knew ‘All right, this is yours, you need to go deep, but the medal is basically yours.’”

Gibbs did not advance to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as she did not place within the top 12 Saturday in California. However, she said she cannot be upset about it, as she had many highlights within her track career.

“For the most part right now, it’s kind of just bittersweet, reflecting on everything that I’ve done, and I really can’t be mad at how my career ended at all,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs began her track career in her hometown of Toronto.

She joined track her senior year of high school after years of gymnastics. According to Gibbs, the thought of studying in the U.S.

MEN AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD

Gibbs reflects on experiences at SIUE

Made it to round three of the OVC Championship in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

April 21: 1st round Conor Dore was tied for 5th, lead SIUE Golf after first round.

April 22: Dore was then tied for 7th to lead the Cougars SIUE at even-par 276, sits in 5th place, Jacksonville State in the lead.

Season ended w/ a 16-28 record.

Season came to a close when they lost 6-2 to Eastern Kentucky on May 8, bowed out of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in Oxford, Alabama.

Game 1: Lost 10-5 Game 2: Won w/ their first extra-inning victory of the season 5-5 Coin toss determined that SIUE would be No. 8 seed.

April 23: SIUE paired with Murray State and Eastern Kentucky for the final round; SIUE took 5th place.

Senior Conor Dore: tied for 8th place at 213: lowest 54-hole total for SIUE at the OVC Championship - 68 first round best mark for a SIUE golfer at the OVC championship Career average of 74.1 is second best all-time Senior Kyle Slattery tied for 24th (group tie) at 218, best scoring average for a season in SIUE history at 71.8

page 8

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wednesday, 05.29.19

Gibbs departs with accomplished track record GIBBS | Pg. 7 “I was voted upon by my teammates, so that made me feel good about myself in a way, like they notice what I’m doing, my leadership skills and everything that I do to help them and help the program,” Gibbs said. “So then it was myself against all the other female recipients from other sports. It just felt great knowing that it’s not just my team that sees what I do but other sports as well.”

According to Gibbs’ jumping coach Doug McDannald, her drive and ability to succeed in all areas at SIUE sets her apart from other athletes.

“I think that just really speaks to the character that Brittney has.

It’s definitely not something that one, everybody wants to try to do, and two, that they’re actually capable of doing,” McDannald said. “She’s got the drive to succeed in whatever it is she seeks out to do, she has the capability to do it, and she believes in herself. The combination of those things makes her an unstoppable force.”

Gibbs and senior distance runner Ben Scamihorn were the only two graduate students on the team. He said this reflects on their personalities and makes their feats more impressive.

“Being successful in graduate school and track, I think that’s like a test to just the kind of people we are: natural leaders and hard-working, successful and

organized, which I think transitions into being a captain and being a good leader,” Scamihorn said.

Off the track, Gibbs showed her leadership as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where she met sophomore softball outfielder Micah Arps. Both Arps and Gibbs said they have a sister-like relationship, and Arps said being close with somebody outside her team has its benefits.

“Honestly, she did an amazing job of helping me feel welcome at SIUE as an athlete because, although I did have my own teammates and they’re supposed to be there for me, it was nice to have somebody who was on a different team and who actually has been through the program longer than anybody that I knew to actually take me under their wing and show me the ropes of being an SIUE athlete,” Arps said.

Now that her last season is over, Gibbs plans to move back to Canada and will begin adjusting to life without competing.

“I’ve been an athlete literally all my life, since birth, so it’s going to be a different transition for me, obviously weird, but my body will definitely thank me,” Gibbs said.

For more information on Gibbs, visit her biography on the SIUE athletic website.

MADISON LAMMERT 650-3527 @madison_thealestle mlammert@alestlelive.com

Courtesy of Brittney Gibbs

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The rally was hosted by NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri. | Spencer Peck / The Alestle

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